[WSBAPT] Elder Clients Confusing Text and Email

[Lewis, Amy C.]

Brent,

              I have a few clients for whom I print and snail mail copies of my emails if I know or suspect that they don’t/can’t read their email.  If it’s just to a client, I would probably just make it a letter, but if it’s an email with multiple parties, then I send the client a copy of the email.


Amy Lewis, Attorney
Pronouns she/her/hers
[cid:Logo_fa335a1d-9f24-4802-a3dd-b58f259e3c98.png]

909 A Street, Suite 600 | Tacoma, WA 98402
phone 253.572.4500 | fax 253.272.5732 | www.eisenhowerlaw.com<http://www.eisenhowerlaw.com/>
From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Brent Williams-Ruth
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2026 10:52 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Elder Clients Confusing Text and Email

Greetings Colleagues who do Estate Planning -

I am looking for ideas/suggestions/assistance on dealing with technology challenges with clients in a higher age bracket.

My office has really encountered an uptick of clients confusing text messages with emails.  I do a lot of plain language recap with clients sent as email just to help confirm spelling of names, addresses, correct order of telephone number digits, etc.

My office DOES NOT have a cell phone and I am not technologically savvy enough to know how to send an email to a telephone number (if that is even a thing....feel free to educate me on that if it is).

A client this morning confessed that they have not been using email for the past two years because they cannot figure out how to reset their password after getting locked out.

I fancy myself as someone who works well with elderly clients but find myself at a loss in this particular situation. Appreciate any thoughts you may wish to share.

Brent


Brent Williams-Ruth (pronouns: he/him)
Attorney-At-Law

Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC

Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003

Mailing Address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063

Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751

For All Meetings & Scheduling: info at williams-ruthlaw.com<mailto:info at williams-ruthlaw.com>

e-mail<mailto:Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website<http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/> / facebook<http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw> /

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